ON THE EDGE

Boks on the move?

Fri, 31 May 2013 08:23

The South African government has requested that the Springboks play the Pumas at Soccer City to honour Nelson Mandela.

SARU confirmed on Friday that they had received a request from the government to play the Rugby Championship test against Argentina at Soccer City to honour Mandela in a double-header event with the South African Football Association (SAFA).

The Test was originally scheduled to be played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. SARU discussed the matter with the hosting union, the Free State Cheetahs, who agreed in principle to waiving their rights to the Test to allow a possible change in venue.

One of the conditions related to a future Test match allocation to the Free State union as compensation for their stakeholders missing out in 2013.

SARU is engaging with the Department of Sport and Recreation on the concept to ensure that all contractual obligations to broadcasters, sponsors and other stakeholders are honoured and that all logistical concerns are addressed in the event of the occasion going ahead at Soccer City.

SARU has advised SANZAR, Argentina and key stakeholders of the on-going status of the discussions.

SARU has committed the Springboks to honouring the Nelson Mandela Sports Day and is awaiting the Department's response to the contractual discussions. A switch in venue will be confirmed once those issues have been satisfactorily addressed.